THERE is a lot of poppytalked COCK democracy. Is it really democratic to wake up periodicall and tell them, in their bewilderment, to vote for good old Tom, Dick, or Denis?
Or is it more democratic for decisions to we made conecuvely py all those who are active and consistently awake and interested?
Just example
democracy: about 30 year Wals CILICONC lary of the very left wing committee of a local coopcrative party which met frequently and regularly. The latter part of our year of office was an exceptionally hard winter, and only a few members used to lumn up lo meetings.
Finding we always had a quorum we carried on the business. Inus wille waded knee-deep in Slow. the general membership kept their feet on the mantelpiece.
Eventually word got round that the party was being run by a bunch of Communists who actually opposed the official policy the Labour Party (not the usual quorum Wils å member of the CP).
About March, when the snow had melted, the Dolla careerist, surreptitiously lacted interested people' (right wing Labour members) and chaired a large meeting, which turned out the whole committee.
The chairperson used his casting vote against my re-election 'interested' member said that she did not know my name as she had never seen me betore This all happened long time ago. No doubt many active socialists toudy Have naa more recentsimilar experiences in the trade unions and con. stituency Labour parties.
mOve ment nas changed spots. The ference would suggest that it has not.
Kathleen Jones SHREWSBURY